It is inevitable that sometime during the four years that your student is at college he will get hurt or sick.  Colleges have health centers to care for students who are injured or sick, and the local emergency room is available for more serious crises.  However, there will be many times through the college years when your student may just need a bit of help for minor injuries or ailments.  A good first aid kit never substitutes for a sympathetic parent, but when your student is on his own, he will be grateful if he has the necessary tools to help himself.

Put together a first aid kit to send to college with your student.  Of course, you hope she’ll never need it, but she will, and when she does, she’ll appreciate that you planned ahead.  Here are a few things to include in your student’s kit.

• Acetaminophen or Ibuprofen for aches and fever
• Thermometer
• Bandaids (think about including some colorful fun ones)
• Gauze bandages
• First aid tape
• Ace bandage
• Alcohol pads
• Antibiotic ointment
• Calamine lotion
• Aloe lotion for sunburn
• Ice pack
• Hot pack
• Tweezers
• Allergy medicine
• Cold medicine
• Cough medicine
• Diarrhea medication
• Scissors
• Cough drops
• Sore throat lozenges
• Flu medicine
• Other standard medications that your student takes
• A small book of first aid procedures

Include anything else that may be standard first aid in your family.

Your student will appreciate that you’ve planned ahead and will be ready for any of the small emergencies or illnesses that may occur.  You’ll feel better knowing that your student is prepared.

Related Posts:

What to Do If Your College Student is Sick at School

Sending Your College Student a Care Package

Twelve Places on Campus Your College Student Should Locate Early